New - Pls Help. Confused About Hardware, iMac with 10.5 - need USB MIDI interface Options

[pigletto78]

Hi
I've been surfing the net to find a USB MIDI interface which will work with my Intel iMac using 10.5. I'm a bit confused and would welcome any advice.

I would like to connect my Yamaha PSR 550 to the Mac and use Garageband. I also have an acoustic guitar and would like to buy a mic and also be able to connect this and also record vocals. I think I need a 'condensor' mic for this?

So in short, I need a USB Midi device with Mic for vocal (and mic for acoustic guitar without a pickup), and Midi input.

I would rather spend a bit more on something with all these features than a 1 MIDI in/ 1 MIDI out cheapo wire, but I don't want to end up paying for things I will never use as a beginner amateur.

I've seen some bad feedback on some models which don't yet have drivers for 10.5.

Can anyone help recommend some hardware?! Thanks in advance.

Hannah

[philflood]

Hi Denise,

For your purposes, either USB or Firewire should work fine. If I were in your position, I would shop for the feature syour are seeking. Find a unit that has XLR, phantom power, 1/4 inch and RCA inputs. I seem to recall a USB mixer that worked for that, I believe Alesis made it. Regarding firewire vs. USB, Firewire is a faster transfer, and provides slight gains in latency. But, for 1 or two channel recording on a new iMac, the measures are really meaningless.

More important to your search will be to ensure that your interface has drivers that are compatible with OSX 10.5. Make sure of that before you buy. If you are anywhere near an Apple store, I have found the employees at all the store to be very helpful in finding good products.

Good luck.